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This Week
NEWS................................ 3 With a new logo and lots of energy, organizers prepare for the Tukee Trot.
Wednesday, NOVEMBER 16, 2022
www.ahwatukee.com
Dems lock up LD12, city council race unresolved BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
D
emocrats appear to have extended their grip on Legislative District 12 for another two years and the race for the Phoenix Council seat that represents Ahwatukee appeared headed for a runoff in March. Rep. Mitzi Epstein of Tempe appeared on her way to changing her title to Senator after six years in the state House after defeat-
ing Ahwatukee Republican David Richardson 59% to 41%. Her Ahwatukee running mates, Patty Contreras and Stacey Travers, garnered 30% and 29% of the vote, respectively, over Chandler Republicans Jim Chaston and Terry Roe, who each garnered 21%. Who will be on the March 23 ballot facing former Assistant Phoenix Police Chief Kevin Robinson remained a close contest involving two other Ahwatukee residents and the
former top aide to the councilman they are vying to replace. While Robinson easily secured the top spot among the eight council contenders with 20% of the vote, his opponent remained a close call with Sam Stone garnering 17% and Joan Greene and Moses Sanchez capturing 16%. A runoff between the top two vote getters is required when no candidate gets 50% of the
see ELECTIONS page 12
Arts fest, Kick-Off Party make for big weekend
AFN NEWS STAFF
BUSINESS ................... 33 From grade school to doctoral students, the Tutor Doctor has them covered.
SPORTS .......................... 35 Mountain Pointe enters the football playoffs with renewed confidence.
COMMUNITY...................... 27 BUSINESS .......................... 33 OPINION ..............................37 SPORTS ............................... 40 GETOUT...............................43 CLASSIFIEDS ...................... 46
S
ay goodbye to politics. Put a hold on getting that turkey. And leave the Christmas decorations for another day. Two big events in Ahwatukee on Saturday, Nov. 19, are back after a two-year hiatus and both offer plenty of reasons to dedicate the day to having fun – and maybe get a jumpstart on holiday shopping. You can easily cover both events – neither charges admission – by starting with the Ahwatukee Recreation Center’s Arts & Crafts Fair at 9 a.m. and winding up at Desert Foothills Park, 1010 E. Marketplace Way, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for a re-imagined Festival of Lights Kick-Off Party that is marking a quarter century with attractions and activities for young and old alike. It’s been a long time coming for both events, which were halted the last two years by COVID-19.
KYRENE KIDS ARE READY FOR THE FUTURE
see WEEKEND page 8
Carroll Dunlap uses a torch while working on a jewelry piece as Ahwatukee Recreation Center crafters work on projects for their upcoming craft show Saturday. For details, see page 27. (David Minton/
AFN Staff Photographer
KYRENE.ORG/ENROLL